I have a Suburban size vehicle for 5 kids, three of which are still in car seats. We pretty much drive everywhere (no flying) and a mini-van would be extremely tight when you factor in the need for strollers and gear. We have a roof top rack we use for luggage for long trips. But the main reason why I did not want a minivan is I did not feel comfortable with small kids in a third row with so little space between the back of the vehicle. I actually had three car-seated kids in a Toyota Camry for almost two years while we saved for a full-size SUV. It was a pain but do-able, particularly since the trunk was so large.
Yeah, it makes me nervous with the back row so close to the back of the car, down lower than a SUV I guess.
We currently have a Mazda 3 and Corolla and it is a tight squeeze to get a RF car seat behind the driver/passenger (definitely not comfy). Thanksgiving road trip was not fun with the dog & gear too.
Post by penguingrrl on Dec 19, 2014 8:35:38 GMT -5
I just traded my honda pilot in for a minivan a few weeks ago. I loved my pilot, but the transmission was going, so it was time to trade in and was able to get a base model minivan for a lot cheaper than another SUV, so that was the direction we took. I definitely took the plunge grudgingly based on budgetary constraints or I would be in an SUV.
I'm slowly getting over the stigma and will say that I love the space. I had not been inside a minivan since I was a child in the 80s and had no idea about the wheel well behind the third row that has amazing storage. The pilot only had storage if the third row was down and the minivan just has a lot more storage.
I'll also say that while I didn't mind having my three kids across one row it's far easier for the girls to buckle themselves not squished together. I have never known anything different, but it is easier.
And one final thing is that I always mocked the "I love sliding doors because my kids don't hit other cars when they open the door" thing until a few weeks ago when I forgot to remind my middle not to open her door into another car and she put a big ding in my mom's partner's new car. I was mortified. I thought I could teach them better, but apparently an excited five year old really will forget what they've been taught.
Post by humpforfree on Dec 19, 2014 10:01:27 GMT -5
It seems like most people have the Odyssey. are there any huge difference between that and the Sienna? My H is a big Toyota fan, so I'm sure that will be our first stop..